Bruno Stair Lift Review: Our Top Stair Pick
Bruno earned Best Overall in our guide to the best stair lifts. Learn more about the brand’s different models in our in-depth Bruno Stair Lift review.
- Bruno stair lifts earned Best Overall Stair Lift because of its smooth, quiet ride and competitive price.
- Bruno stair lifts have starting costs ranging from $3,000–$11,000 (not including installation).
- Stair lifts can help make a multi-story home safer and reduce falls risk.
Our mission at NCOA is to support everyone’s right to age well. We take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you lead a healthier life. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing stair lifts to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best stair lifts, we:
- Consulted with mobility specialists including gerontologists, physical therapists, and primary care doctors for guidance on choosing the best stair lift
- Put more than 10 models through a series of 17 different tests at several different stair lift showrooms
- Mystery-shopped more than seven brands
- Surveyed more than 500 older adults on their experience using a mobility product like a stair lift
- Interviewed experts on the importance of mobility, independence, and aging in place for older adults
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
Read more about our mobility products review methodology.
Bruno stair lifts was our top pick in our guide to the best stair lifts—and for good reason. They had a smooth, quiet ride, and their pricing is competitive. Plus, they offer other ways to save. The company allows you to rent stair lifts, purchase used models, and sell your stair lift back if you no longer need one.
Stair lifts can help older adults age in place. They send riders up and down stairs in an automated chair, which can help people with mobility challenges use the stairs and reduce their falls risk.
In our Bruno stair lift review, we highlight what makes each stair lift model unique, explain how to purchase a stair lift, and provide important information for finding the right stair lift for you.
Why we recommend Bruno stair lifts
We recommend Bruno stair lifts for a number of reasons. First, they had the quietest and smoothest ride out of all the brands we tested, earning them a near-perfect overall score of 9.9/10.
Bruno has a wide range of stair lift options, such as straight, curved, and both indoor and outdoor models. Its models also tend to have higher weight capacities. The Bruno Elite has a high weight capacity of up to 400 pounds (lbs). The only other stair lift we tested with a higher weight capacity was the Harmar Pinnacle SL600, with a 600-pound capacity. All the other models we tested had lower capacities—usually around 300–350 lbs.
We appreciate that Bruno has some of the lowest starting costs on the market. The only other company we’ve seen that offers similar pricing is Ameriglide. The rest all have starting costs that are at least $400 more expensive. Plus, Bruno offers the option to rent a stairlift, buy a used lift, or sell yours back to the company once you don’t need it anymore. “[I’d recommend Bruno for] people who value a low price, smooth ride, and slim rail design,” said one tester.
“Before we had the stair lift, I was limited to going to the first floor of the house one or two times a week. Now I can go downstairs one to two times a day. This makes it easier for me to cook and have a change of scenery.”
—Respondent to NCOA’s 2025 Mobility Survey1
Bruno
- Smoothest, quietest journey
- Good prices and many ways to save
- Comfortable and supportive chair
Comparing Bruno stair lift models
| Comparison Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Straight |
Straight or curved |
| Max. weight capacity (pounds) | 300 |
400 |
| Location | Indoor |
Indoor or outdoor |
Understanding Bruno stair lift models
Elan Stair Lift: The entry-level straight model
The Bruno Elan is Bruno’s entry-level stair lift. It’s made for straight stairs and comes with the option of adding a power folding footrest or power swivel seat. Its space-saving design, enclosed gears, and weight capacity of 300 lbs makes it a great option for a simple but elevated and affordable straight stair lift.
Elan Stair Lift
- Type: Straight
- Max. weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Used models available: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Rental options: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Financing: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Our experience with the Bruno Elan
The Bruno Elan is the company’s entry-level model. It has all of the standard features we look for in a stair lift, including obstruction sensors and a battery pack so that the lift still works during a power outage. But it also has some more high-end features, like the option to add power swivel or a power footrest.
Our testers thought that the Bruno Elan had the quietest ride out of any stair lift we tested, including the Bruno Elite. “This is the quietest straight stair lift I tried,” said one tester. “It makes a little whirring sound, but the volume is really low and the sound is lower-pitched compared to the rest of the lifts I rode. This makes the Elan’s sound less obvious and intrusive.” That’s most likely due to the enclosed gear box and train, which helps to muffle sound. Other brands have the power train exposed, which increases the noise. Our testers also noted that some brands have a hospital-like beeping when it swivels, but Bruno does not.
Testers also loved the Elan’s user-friendly controls. “The control on the stair lift is a simple, large switch you push in the direction you want to travel,” one tester said. “It’s very easy to use and offers virtually no resistance. It requires the same strength you’d need to push a TV remote button.” While testers thought the Elan was easy to use, they wished you could buckle the seat belt with one hand rather than two. Other stair lift brands, like Stannah, offer seat belts you can buckle with one hand for those with dexterity issues.
It’s also worth noting that, while the Elan had the quietest ride of any stair lift we tested, it’s not the smoothest. You’ll find that with the Elite model. “The Elan Straight was one of the smoothest stair lifts I tried, but the Elite is slightly smoother,” said one tester. “The Elan’s speed was constant and there were no jerky movements, but I think the Elite just slightly beats out the Elan.”
The Elan did have a larger footrest than the Elite, but we like that the Elite’s footrest has a non-slip grippy coating to limit falls risk. The Elan’s footrest just has ridged plastic lines. But if you’re looking for a straightforward, quiet, and affordable stair lift, the Elan could be a good fit.
Elite Stair Lift: The advanced straight or curved model
The Bruno Elite is the next level up. It comes with a padded, ergonomic seat, the smoothest ride of any stair lift we tested, and a higher weight capacity of 400 lbs. Unlike the Elan, it comes in a straight or curved version and has a grippy, non-slip coating on the footrest. If you’re looking for a more comfortable seat with some higher-end perks or need a lift for curved stairs, the Elite could be a good choice.
Elite Stair Lift
- Type: Straight or curved
- Max. weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Used models available: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Rental options: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Financing: Yes, dependent on dealer
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Our experience with the Bruno Elite
The Bruno Elite takes everything we love about the Bruno Elan and makes it slightly fancier. Along with the same safety features and a quiet, smooth ride, the Elite includes:
- Ergonomic, padded seat and armrests
- Grippy, slip-resistant footrest
- Four upholstery and design options
- Audio and visual onboard diagnostics (the Elan only has audio diagnostics)
- Installs within five inches of the wall (the Elan installs within six inches)
- Adjustable-width armrests
Like the Elan, the Elite comes in either a power or manual swivel option. Our testers thought that the Elite’s seat swivel (when the chair swivels to “center” position, 60 degrees, or 90 degrees at the end of its journey for a safe exit) was better than the Elan’s. Swiveling the seat away from the stairs can help reduce the risk of falling.
“The power swivel is nicer on the Elite compared to the Elan because the Elite uses a ball-bearing swivel, so it’s smoother,” said one tester. “The Elan uses an offset post-swivel, which has fewer components than the ball-bearing swivel. That makes the Elan’s swivel feel a tiny bit jerkier, and when you start the manual swivel it feels like you’ve ‘disengaged the brake.’ With the Elite, you can tell it’s less like you’re released and brake and feels more seamless.”
Unlike the Elan, the Elite comes in both a straight and curved style. Even though curved stair lifts tend to be a little noisier than straight ones, our testers found that the Elite Curved still had a quiet ride. “The ride is very smooth and there’s almost no sound,” one tester said. And the Elite’s straight and curved styles were the smoothest ride of any stair lift we tested—including the Elan. “The speed is constant, there are no jerky movements, and there’s no delay when starting or stopping that I saw in other brands like Harmar,” said a tester.
Testers found the same smooth ride on the Elite Curved. “The Elite curved was the smoothest curved stair lift I tried,” another tester said. “Smooth and steady with minimal feelings of rocking back and forth on the gears.”
The Elite also stands out with its more ergonomic design. It has a comfortable chair and increased padding on the seat and armrests. “The Elite’s seat is contoured and comfortable. It has a higher chair back than the Elan and a thicker cushion,” one tester said. “The Elan felt like a desk from school with a hard, plastic back. The Elite felt more like a cushioned seat.” If you have back pain or other types of pain, a more comfortable, supportive chair could make a big difference.
The Bruno Elite beats the Elan in most areas, except for price. The Elite straight model is about three times the starting cost (not including installation) of the Elan straight.
Bruno stair lift pros and cons
Bruno is a great brand if you want a stair lift that is quiet and smooth. It earned a near-perfect 9.9/10 in our testing and was our pick for Best Overall Stair Lift.
The brand as a whole has a lot going for it, but it’s not perfect. Keep reading for an overview of Bruno stair lift pros and cons.
Pros
- Competitive pricing and many options to save
- Enclosed gears for a quieter ride
- Smoothest ride of any stair lift we tested
- Limited lifetime warranty on both models
Cons
- Must purchase through Bruno’s network of authorized local dealers
- Financing, renting, and buybacks are all dependent on your local dealer’s policies
- Fewer design options compared to other brands
93% of the 600 respondents to the NCOA Mobility Survey said that “features and functionality” were either very or somewhat important to their decision to buy a mobility product.1
Who should consider Bruno stair lifts:
- Anyone looking for a more affordable and straightforward stair lift
- People who prioritize space-saving or quiet equipment
- People who need a weight capacity up to 400 lbs
You may consider other options if you:
- Want more upholstery or design options
- Want a more dexterity-friendly seatbelt or control
- Want to purchase directly from a manufacturer
- Need a weight capacity higher than 400 lbs
The Bruno stair lifts customer service
Here’s how to contact Bruno stair lifts customer service:
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Financing: Yes
- Phone: 800-454-4355, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
Warranties
Bruno’s straight stair lifts come with a limited lifetime warranty on the motor, gearbox, and static rail as long as the original purchaser owns the lift. All other parts have a two-year warranty from the date of installation and a 30-day labor warranty to cover any defects and workmanship issues.
Bruno curved stair lifts come with a limited lifetime warranty on the motor, gear box drive train, and rail, including workmanship and materials, as long as the original purchaser owns the lift. All other parts are covered by a two-year warranty on parts and workmanship, and all labor for 30 days, if provided by a Bruno dealer.
Bruno’s warranties are considered to be some of the best and most comprehensive in the industry. Only one other brand we’ve seen in our research, Access BDD, has a longer extended lifetime warranty on their parts.
How much do Bruno stair lifts cost?
Bruno star lifts have a starting cost of $3,000 for the Elan Straight, with the price increasing to $9,000–$11,000 for the Elite Straight or the Elite Curved. These costs cover the stair lift alone and don’t include installation or any accessories or add-ons you might choose.
A curved stair lift tends to be more expensive to install than a straight one. The final total cost is dependent on the model, add-on features you choose, and length of the required lift for your home’s particular stairs. Call Bruno to speak to a salesperson for the most accurate quote.
You can learn more in our article about how much stair lifts cost.
When we hosted a focus group for people with mobility issues in August 2025, some of the participants said they found it more economical to move into a smaller house instead of paying for in-home safety modifications like a stair lift.2 The right decision for you will depend on personal factors like your current living situation, budget, and future needs.
Cost comparison of Bruno stair lifts
| Comparison Features | Elan Straight |
Elite Straight |
Elite Curved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting cost (w/o installation) | $3,000 |
$9,000 |
$11,000 |
| Standout feature | Lowest price |
Ergonomic chair |
Curved design |
Where to buy Bruno stair lifts
You must buy Bruno Stair Lifts through their approved local dealers. You can find dealers in your region by looking up your address on the Bruno website. Bruno has dealers across the United States and most of Canada.
We recommend LifeWay Mobility in particular as the Best Stair Lift Dealer for their exceptional customer service, financing, and warranty options. LifeWay also sells both Bruno models.
Bruno stair lifts financing
Bruno’s network of local dealers offer financing, but how much you get and the payment amount depends on factors like your credit history. Financing can make a stair lift more affordable because you can pay in installments instead of all at once. But you will have to pay interest, so it’s important to check rates before you apply.
Bruno’s dealers also offer the option to rent a stair lift instead of buying, which can save you money in the long run. They also sell used and refurbished stair lifts for less than a new one. Some dealers offer a buyback program where you can sell the dealer your lift when you no longer need it. Exploring all the options available to you can help make purchasing a stair lift more affordable.
Bruno stair lift safety features
Bruno’s stair lifts come with safety features that help prevent falling while entering, exiting, or using the lift. This is especially important because about one in four adults 65 and older report experiencing a fall every year.3 And falling once doubles an older adult’s chances of falling again, according to research.4 “I’ve fallen multiple times going down stairs and broke my wrist once,” said one participant in our August 2025 focus group of people with mobility issues, a 69-year-old woman in Peoria, Arizona. “So once you fall you think, ‘oh boy, here we go again. More doctors’ appointments, more money, and more pain.”2
You can learn more about staying safe in our article on how to fall-proof your home. Also, read about the best medical alert systems with fall detection or our review of the best walk-in tubs.
Safety features
Bruno’s safety features help to make sure that you can use your stair lift safely, even when sharing your home with other people, like kids. These features include:
- Obstruction sensors that stop the chair when it hits an obstacle on the stairs
- Swivel seats (manual or power) for safe exit and entry
- Foldable/retractable seat to keep the chair out of the way when not in use
- Retractable seat belt
- Emergency stop button
Bruno stair lifts installation
When you purchase a Bruno stair lift, the local dealer will send professionals to install the lift in your home. The rail’s feet, or supports, are attached to your home’s stairs. They can usually be installed on either the left or right side of the staircase. According to Bruno, installation takes between two to four hours. It costs on average $2,000, but that cost can vary widely depending on things like your location and type of stair lift.
When we surveyed 600 adults about their mobility equipment, one respondent said they were very happy with choosing professionals to install their lift. “I was overall satisfied with the installation process of my stair lift,” the respondent said. “The team arrived on time, worked efficiently, and explained the system thoroughly once it was installed.”1
This is why we recommend using professional installers rather than trying to install the lift yourself. It’s also important to remember that Bruno’s labor warranty only covers their local dealers. If you install the lift on your own or use a dealer that’s not authorized by Bruno, you void that warranty.
“A stair lift can allow someone to remain in their home and keep their familiar surroundings even if their mobility changes mean that they can no longer safely navigate the stairs. Using a stair lift can also allow someone to remain in their own home and safely navigate the stairs and reduce their chances of falling.”
— Kelly Smith, BSN, RN, founder of Nestcare in Sarasota, Florida
Are Bruno stair lifts right for you?
Bruno stair lifts could be a good choice if you have mobility issues that make going up and down the stairs risky. Bruno is also a great option if you want to age in place. More than 65% of respondents to the 2025 NCOA mobility survey said they wanted to age in place in their current home.1 We think that Bruno’s affordable starting costs, smooth ride, and slim rail make it a great option for people looking for a reliable and user-friendly stair lift.
Before purchasing a stair lift, ask yourself these questions:
- What type of stair lift do I need? Are my stairs straight or curved?
- What features are the most important to me?
- What weight capacity do I need for my stair lift?
- Will I need to apply for financing?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bruno stair lift cost?
Bruno stair lifts have a starting cost of $3,000–$11,000. This does not include installation.
Does Bruno sell used stair lifts?
Yes, some Bruno stair lift dealers sell used stair lifts.
Do you have to buy Bruno stair lifts through a dealer?
Yes. Bruno sells its stair lifts through approved dealers you can find on their website.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.